View Full Version : First Solo Trip!
plexusbritt
06-17-2016, 09:54
Not on the AT but that's alright. Still going to be just plain old good experience. Soon as I get off work, I get to grab the pooch, pack, and hit the trail! We've got some rain in the forecast so my gear will also be getting a good workout.
Camera is charged and has empty memory so I'll be sure and post lots of pics!
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plexusbritt
06-17-2016, 11:43
Well, the chance of rain has escalated to a small chance of thunderstorms! This makes me a little excited though :jumpI know the area very well and know of some little ridges and rock formations that are great for hunkering down if need be. a few decent caves as well that I have used to wait out day hikes. I plan to keep this thread updated, hopefully to encourage those who are trying to get up the nerve for that first solo overnighter.
Can't wait to see how it goes. My hubby will not let me go alone, though I really want to.
swisscross
06-17-2016, 12:34
I have always heard NOT to wait out a thunderstorm (lightning) under an overhang or shallow cave.
http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/resources/backcountry_lightning.pdf
see figure on second page.
swisscross
06-17-2016, 12:37
Found document that I was looking for.
http://rendezvous.nols.edu/files/Curriculum/research_projects/BackcountryLightningSafety.pdf
plexusbritt
06-17-2016, 13:25
I guess cave would be a bad way to describe the area I'm talking about. That's just what I'm used to my husband calling it. It is like a sheltered little set of hills close together. I get about mid way out of water but away from the top. Hunker down with the poncho.
plexusbritt
06-17-2016, 13:28
Can't wait to see how it goes. My hubby will not let me go alone, though I really want to.
Lnj, a lot of people think my husband is crazy for being ok with me and one or two girl friends spending so much time in the woods, but in all reality, I work in insurance and I see how many die in cars. My husband is an odd one for putting up with me and my gear testing/hoarding. Maybe yours will come around in time.
That's what I'm hoping :)
plexusbritt
06-17-2016, 13:38
Thanks Swisscoss though! That was awesome reading and good reminders.
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plexusbritt
06-20-2016, 11:07
I survived! And it was such a wonderful trip! I cannot believe that I waited this long to go solo.
Night one, I stayed at backcountry site #2 at Oak Mountain State Park. This was a nostalgic move on my part because this also happens to be where I spent my first ever night backpacking at the tender age of 16 with two of my girl friends and my German Shepherd Dog. Man has my gear come a long way since that three person tent and Navajo blanket! The night was peaceful, introspective, and confidence building. I may have been there with lighter gear and a younger dog but, I promise, I could still hear the laughter of that trip 8 years ago ringing in the trees.
Night two, I went to the backcountry site #4. I was joined by a friend of mine from over at the hammock forums. We had a great night of laughter, smores, and campfire talk. There was also the required gear comparisons and note making. I love to learn from other hikers what has worked for them and hopefully, they are able to see things in my setup that will benefit them.
Ladies, if you have been contemplating taking a solo trip but have been nervous about it, I highly encourage you to just go. Be smart about it and go somewhere you are comfortable and familiar with but, go. just go. I cannot believe it took me so long to do this. I came back 10xs more confident in my gear and myself.
DuneElliot
06-21-2016, 17:20
I just did my first solo trip too, a little over a month ago, followed by a second one the next weekend and a third last weekend. I have my dogs which helps, but it was definitely an amazing experience. I loved most of it...just got bored in camp when I got done too early and my body couldn't hike any further
plexusbritt
06-21-2016, 17:42
I just did my first solo trip too, a little over a month ago, followed by a second one the next weekend and a third last weekend. I have my dogs which helps, but it was definitely an amazing experience. I loved most of it...just got bored in camp when I got done too early and my body couldn't hike any further
I hear you! I took the weight penalty of two books.
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DuneElliot
06-21-2016, 19:53
Listened to music this last time. I would have taken longer to get to camp but I was misled about the water situation amd needed to get to the creek...after that I couldn't hike any further. I have books on my phone but I always find I can't concentrate on them in the back-country...it's the one time I actually WANT company...at camp!
plexusbritt
06-21-2016, 21:37
Listened to music this last time. I would have taken longer to get to camp but I was misled about the water situation amd needed to get to the creek...after that I couldn't hike any further. I have books on my phone but I always find I can't concentrate on them in the back-country...it's the one time I actually WANT company...at camp!
Haha well isn't that just human nature at times?
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swisscross
06-22-2016, 09:44
Survived? You have arrived!
Great choice for your first solo evening.
Limited access, gate shuts down at dark and close to home.
I have day hiked all the trails at OMSP but I am not familiar with their campsite numbering system.
Do you happen to have a link for the campsite numbers?
Need to get back out with my daughter and introduce my oldest daughter (whom has shown no interest in sleeping in the woods).
You have inspired me to take another look at camping at Oak Mt.
KnightErrant
06-22-2016, 11:32
Glad the trip went well! I recently started doing weekend solo trips and it's been awesome. The first time I was very nervous about being alone because of bears (I had seen a bear from my car the day before my trip, yikes) but it all went well and I've gotten more confident each time. As the thru-hiker bubble continues to pass through my area in VA, I've found somewhat ironically that solo camping trips in the mountains have been my most social evenings in months! I've met lots of interesting people each time, and there's something about a campfire that makes conversation with strangers feel so much less nerve-wracking for shy little me.
Yesterday I got back from a few nights on the AT in the Grayson Highlands area and saw a lot of section hikers and scout/youth/family groups as well as the thru-hikers. Thru-hikers are never surprised to see a girl out hiking alone but this weekend I had two different men (one boy scout leader and one father with his sons) tell me that if I was their daughter, they would never let me do what I was doing. They were very kind and protective toward me each evening around camp and I know they were well-meaning, but still. I'm glad I'm not their daughter!
DuneElliot
06-22-2016, 16:21
Generally I am a little more nervous in the back country by myself because of bears, but since I have recently had to get a protection order against my next-door neighbor...I feel much safer in the back country than I do at home!!!
plexusbritt
06-22-2016, 22:10
Survived? You have arrived!
Great choice for your first solo evening.
Limited access, gate shuts down at dark and close to home.
I have day hiked all the trails at OMSP but I am not familiar with their campsite numbering system.
Do you happen to have a link for the campsite numbers?
Need to get back out with my daughter and introduce my oldest daughter (whom has shown no interest in sleeping in the woods).
You have inspired me to take another look at camping at Oak Mt.
Close to home was the driving factor. I had some things to handle at the office, delaying my departure. I don't have a link and neither does the website. If you have a map, the backcountry sites are the little campfire emblems. My desire was to just make one big, lazy loop of the place but, they will not let you get a site ahead of time so I had to hike the few miles to my site Friday night, hike back out the next morning to the campground office, and get my site pass for Sunday night. All in all, it's nice. With some planning, I could make a pretty decent loop in regards to mileage with some creative parking and thought.
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plexusbritt
06-22-2016, 22:12
KnightErrant, I hear you. I couldn't imagine my dad ever suggest I not do something based on my gender. Much less not "let" me do it. I appreciate a good gentleman, don't get me wrong but, last I checked my legs hike just as efficiently. Lol
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plexusbritt
06-22-2016, 22:13
Generally I am a little more nervous in the back country by myself because of bears, but since I have recently had to get a protection order against my next-door neighbor...I feel much safer in the back country than I do at home!!!
I can totally understand your sentiment. I get more nervous walking down the street sometimes than I do out hiking alone.
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KnightErrant, I hear you. I couldn't imagine my dad ever suggest I not do something based on my gender. Much less not "let" me do it. I appreciate a good gentleman, don't get me wrong but, last I checked my legs hike just as efficiently. Lol
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Ditto. I'm always solo..."I am going on a trip and if you would like to tag along, and you can keep up, then you can join me".
Ditto. I'm always solo..."I am going on a trip and if you would like to tag along, and you can keep up, then you can join me".
I have actually quoted that statement several times... which ends in him going along with me. I use the word "let" in the most literal sense, not just a permission thing. in order tog o alone, I would literally have to sneak to do it, and to do an overnight... he would report me missing, call the police, the whole thing if I didn't tell him what I was doing, and if I did... he would come along too. I am a stubborn independent woman... but he is my match in stubborn, which makes me just a scooch less independent.
plexusbritt
06-23-2016, 14:33
Gotta love them. I was gonna head out solo again next weekend but the hubby wants to join. It IS is birthday weekend and he was being good natured about me being gone so I can't fuss. lol. I've just gotta go through his "gear". He hikes in jeans and cowboy boots at times so I have informed him that if he goes, they stay bc the trail I've got planned is much too wet. I don't need him getting all blistered and such.
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LOL!! That's funny. Cowboy boots on a rock scramble...the visual is hilarious! My hubby is also very good natured about my hiking addiction. He goes, because I am going and he won't let me go alone, but he isn't half as much into it as I am, so he is a pretty good sport. I think he prays for a thunderstorm every Saturday. :)
Sandy of PA
06-23-2016, 18:27
So are you coming to the Ladies Week hike, Lnj?
DuneElliot
06-23-2016, 21:54
I've certainly done some rock scrambling in cowboy boots and spurs while.looking for cattle. It was certainly interesting
plexusbritt
06-23-2016, 22:31
I've certainly done some rock scrambling in cowboy boots and spurs while.looking for cattle. It was certainly interesting
Funny we should have this conversation today! He is working out of town but has a birthday coming up so while we were on the phone I asked him for some ideas of what I could get him. He said, "I'd like to do start backpacking with you for real. Not the short trips you do when I come along so some gear would be nice. Just whatever you think I'll need" to clarify, his pack weight is usually insane! He has a crazy heavy sleeping bag and a hammock. That's about it. We take turns with the stove, share my tarp, water filtration, etc. I had way too much fun on Amazon today getting him a windscreen, platypus, sleeping bag, and such.
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DuneElliot
06-24-2016, 09:12
Very cool. Hope you guys have some more fun together...I'm still looking for someone to hike with. I enjoy being alone while hiking but much prefer to have some company in camp.
plexusbritt
06-24-2016, 10:40
Very cool. Hope you guys have some more fun together...I'm still looking for someone to hike with. I enjoy being alone while hiking but much prefer to have some company in camp.
Are you in the southeast? Lol
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plexusbritt
06-24-2016, 10:47
http://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160624/f02a7763938b9dc5ac76e85aef06e87a.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160624/5e512816eb0d3be6dee8a96ed75e5796.jpghttp://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20160624/596f9e0470ed243e767a826ee12f0bbd.jpg
Just some more pics of last weekend!
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So are you coming to the Ladies Week hike, Lnj?
Oh I would love to, but I am in GA and have a new job I just started in April. I don't have the vaca accumulated yet and I don't have the dollars for the commute to where you all are.
DuneElliot
06-24-2016, 18:28
Are you in the southeast? Lol
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Not right now...Wyoming with some great hiking! I will be full-time RVing no later than next fall and the south-east is an area I plan to spend some time exploring and backpacking a lot! I have to so SOME of the AT while I'm there!
Feel the same way about solo hiking- love the confidence it gives. Have to admit my choice might be more like solo-light rather than a true solo as I spent nights in a very social situation. Despite that family were stubbornly set on worrying. I chose the White Mountains and went hut to hut plus a couple nights at the Highland Center. That way there was a lot of social tie as well as a lot of quiet walking. Hikers tend to watch out for each other and I felt well cared for out there. During the day's hikes there was nothing but birds, waterfalls, the tremendous smell of the woods, and the sound of my breath. My husband doesn't exactly understand it but he also gets how essential it is to me.
Woooo hooo!!! Have a great trip. I like other people, but I also like going alone. :)
I'm so jealous when I hear about women doing overnight hikes on their own. I'm a pretty independent person, I've traveled in many countries by myself, I've been on motorcycle trips by myself and I do a lot of camping by myself... in campgrounds.
Hiking alone all day is not the issue. I'm not afraid of animals and I don't get lonely sitting around the fire by myself in the evening. My problem is that I'm scared of the dark. There, I said it. The idea of sleeping alone in the forest makes me hyperventilate! LoL. And yes, I know, the AT and many other trails are like shopping malls, you're never alone but my biggest fear is getting to a shelter and finding it empty or not being able to do my planned mileage for the day and having to set up camp on the side of the trail. I think by the time morning came I'd be fit for a padded room. For that reason, I always hike with at least one other person.
Ah well, maybe one day....
Sandy of PA
11-08-2016, 09:31
Sleeping alone in the woods is like coming home to mother earth to me. I get the best sleep out there. The AT is not very dark most places, especially down south. After the sun goes down you start to see all the lights in the valley. I use only red lights after dark so I don't destroy my night vision, that way bears turn back into the mice that you hear in the leaves! Owls are neat to listen to, but I have been ready to slingshot a few Whip-or-wills.
DuneElliot
11-08-2016, 09:45
The only time I ever got freaked out sleeping in the woods alone was when a couple of curious cows decided to physically investigate my tent at 4am in the morning. But of course, I trust my dog's instincts a lot and if she's not worried and sleeping, then there's nothing to worry about for me either.
The only time I ever got freaked out sleeping in the woods alone was when a couple of curious cows decided to physically investigate my tent at 4am in the morning. But of course, I trust my dog's instincts a lot and if she's not worried and sleeping, then there's nothing to worry about for me either.
Good point DuneElliot. One of these days (read : when my kids are older) I'll have a decent size dog and then I probably won't have a problem sleeping alone in the woods for the same reasons you mention. I always trust my dog's instincts, they're never wrong. For now however, my dog is a Chuhuahua (small and kids friendly). And although she loves camping and hiking, she's just too small for an extended trip so I'll just have to rely on friends for now.
Sandy of PA
11-09-2016, 11:03
I met a couple people on the AT hiking a section with SEVEN Chuhuahuas! They each had a baby sling to carry anyone that got tired and everyone seemed to be having a great time, dogs and humans alike.
I met a couple people on the AT hiking a section with SEVEN Chuhuahuas! They each had a baby sling to carry anyone that got tired and everyone seemed to be having a great time, dogs and humans alike.
Hahahahahahahahahahahaha! That's too funny! Mine is usualy excellent. She's always eager to go and can surprisingly do a lot of mileage for having such short legs. I just don't want to push her limits and don't want to have to carry an extra 5 lbs if I can avoid it.
My husband wasn't wild about it but I started sleeping outdoors and away from the house more and more until he relented and reluctedly agreed not to harass me anymore for going alone. IT was the most freeing thing ever. the AT is the only place I would go alone though. Go to You Tube and show him all the videos of females hiking. Find a partner on here and go with her at first. My blog shows my first alone trip. Let him read it. Keep at it, it is worth it!
https://wordpress.com/posts/myhikeoutofmadness.wordpress.com